Fastening of flexible bags in closed condition



3958 L. H. PLATT ET AL FASTENING OF FLEXIBLE BAGS IN CLOSED CONDITION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 28 1955 fi fi 3 5 m H W 4/, H B N D N M Z k 3 n L m W w w fw/ mv w. MMMW A Jan. 28, 1958 L. H. PLATT ET L 2,321,955

FASTENING OF FLEXIBLE BAGS IN CLOSED CONDITION Filed Feb. 28, 1955 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 24% flax/1ND A 77:,

LELAND Ha PLATT, tie. JO N fi A77;

INVENTORS.

Jan. 28, 1958 L TT ET AL 2,821,055

FASTENING OF FLEXIBLE BAGS IN CLOSED CONDITION Filed Feb. 28, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 LELAND H P147771 LELAND f1. HATZI 6k.

(Toy/v D. PLATT,

JNVENTORS.

ATTLL QNEY- United States Patent 6 F FASTENING OF FLEXIBLE BAGS IN CLOSED CONDITION Leland H. Platt, Leland H. Platt, Jr., and John D. Platt, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 28, 1955, Serial No. 490,824

18 Claims. (Cl. 53-176) This invention relates to improved apparatus for fastening flexible bags in closed condition. Certain features of the present apparatus have been disclosed and claimed in my copending application Number 4l7,382, filed March 19, 1954, on Bag Closing Machine.

Apparatus embodying the invention is of a type adapted to apply fastening means to the gathered and closed neck portion of a flexible bag. For instance, the apparatus may be utilized for securing in closed condition bags containing any of various types of produce, the bags typically being formed of one of the currently very popular plastic materials, such as polyethylene. Preferably, the fastening is effected by applying about the necks of the bags a flexible adhesive tape, desirably of the pressure sensitive type adapted to adhere to an object in response to the application of a relatively light force against the tape.

A major object of the invention is to provide a bag fastening machine which is capable of fastening bags of widely varying sizes, and will do so without the necessity for adjusting any part of the apparatus to handle the different sizes. Further, the present apparatus is adapted to fasten a series of bags in very rapid succession and in a continuous type of operation.

A machine embodying the invention includes an endless conveyor which acts to move a series of bags successively past a fastening location, at which location the bag necks are secured in closed condition. For holding the bags on the conveyor, the latter preferably includes a series of units adapted to releasably hold the gathered or closed neck portions of the individual bags, and to then advance those neck portions past the fastening location. These holding units may act to at least partially suspend the weight of the bags and contents, with portions of the bags being received on and moved along a preferably inclined supporting apron located alongside the conveyor.

The neck holding units may comprise means forming individual throats into which the bag necks are insertible, to be held and advanced by the units. We find it highly desirable to incorporate in each of these units a yieldingly urged retaining member for holding a bag neck in the throat during movement of the conveyor and bag. Each of these retaining members may take the form of a spiral coil spring, which normally extends partially across the throat, and is laterally deflectible to pass a bag neck into the throat. For best operation, this spring should be mounted for rotation about its axis, to allow for a rolling engagement of the spring with the bag necks.

Along the path of the conveyor, there are provided means for securing the necks of the conveyor carried bags in their gathered and closed condition. These securing means may include a pair of pressure members, between which the necks and tape are passed, and which act to pressurally secure the tape to the necks. pressure members, there may be provided a cutter, for cutting off the relatively short piece or pieces of tape that are applied to each individual bag. After the cutting operation, the bag neck may be automatically ejected from Beyond these 2,821,055 Patented Jan. 28, 1958 2 the throat Within which it has been held, preferably by engagement with a guide surface acting to progressively wedge the bag neck from the throat.

I find it most desirable to form each of the bag holding units to include two spaced elements (usually comprising,

two arms of a single U-shaped member), each of which elements or arms contains a throat for receiving the bag neck. The neck then extends between the two spaced elements, and the tape applying, tape cutting, and ejecting parts may be positioned to engage and act on the portion of the neck which is received between the holding elements.

The above and other features and objects of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the typical embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a bag fastening machine embodying the invention, and taken in the direction of the arrow designated in Fig. 4;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are enlarged transverse sections taken on lines 22, 33 and 44 respectively of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of one of the bag holding elements of the device, taken along a line corresponding to that indicated at 55 in Fig. 3, and showing the neck portion of one of the bags as it is moved down into the holding element;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section through the apparatus, showing an end portion of the bag advancing conveyor;

Fig. 7 is a view showing the manner in which the tape is applied to the bag necks; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the manner in which the tape is out after being applied to one of the bags.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings is utilized for fastening in closed condition the gathered neck portions 10 of a series of filled bags 11. These bags 11 may be formed of any suitable flexible material, such as the thin plastic material (usually polyethylene) which is currently being used for packing carrots and various other types of produce. The machine acts to apply to the necks. of such bags a pressure sensitive adhesive tape 12, which their very effectively holds the bag necks in closed condition.

The apparatus 13 for fastening the bags in closed condition includes an elongated endless chain or conveyor 14,

which carries a series of bag holding elements 15. An

operator manually gathers the necks of the bags, and attaches them to the various elements 15, to be suspended by those elements and advance therewith to the right as seen in Fig. 1. The bags 11 whose necks are held by elements 15 extend downwardly at an angle upon the upper surface of an apron or support member 16, which acts to partially support the weight of the bags and their contents as they are moved toward the tape applying mechanism. The tape is applied to the bags from two supply rolls 17 and 13, and is caused to secure the bag necks in closed condition by passing the tape and necks between a pair of pressure members 19 and 20. Short pieces of tape applied to each neck are cut off from the 23, which may include a number of vertically extending legs 24 having inclined frame elements 25 extending between and interconnecting their upper ends. The frame also includes various other rigid frame members provided at suitable locations for mounting the various parts I The conveyor chain 14 is movably carried by an inclined rear plate 26, which extends up of the apparatus.

wardly at an angle from: the-upper ends of the rear legs 24.

One end of the chain extends about and is driven by a first sprocket wheel 27, which is carried by a shaft 28 journaledina bearing IZS-attached-to plate-26, and in a.,bearing 29 attached to aframemember-SO. This shaft 28 is continuously rotatably driven bya frame mounted electric motor 31, through a sprocketwhee1-32 on the motor shaft, a= chain- 33, and asprocket: wheel 34:- on shaft 28;: The opposite end of chain -14 extends about an idler spro ckct:wheel.35 mounted' to anopposite end of the-framer Motor 31 runs in -a directiontoadvance the upper run ,of chain- 14,. andthe carried bag. holdingelements 15, totheright as seen in Fig; 1.

In moving from sprocket wheel 35 tosprocket-wheel 27, chain l4 is directed alonga-non-linear path, by-confinement of the-chainwithina-guide channel or recessformed by: and between-an upper turnedflange36-of plate 26, and an elongated guidemember 37 extending in pa.-.

rallel spaced relation to flange 36. As will be apparent from Fig. 1, these guideelements 36 and 37 direct. the. upper run of chain 14 first horizontallyto a, point 38,

then at an inclination upwardlyto apoint 39, and-then horizontally again at araised elevation to sprocket wheel 27. The lower or return run of chain.14.extends essentially parallel to the upper run, being directed byfia number of guide elements 40.

Eachofthe elements .15'for holdingthe bags takesthe:

form of a U-shaped member formed of rigid sheet metal c t-the like, and having two. preferably identicallyshaped spaced parallel generally. upwardly. extending arms 41;

and 42.. The lower transverse portion 43 Y. of 'eachgelement 15 is suitably attached in fixed relation to one of the links otchain 14, as for instance by means of an angle bracket 44 which may be welded to element 15. and riveted to the chain link. Elements 15 are thus positive.- lyheld iby the chain in the illustrated upwardly projecting positions during the rightward movement of. elements 15 as seen in Fig. l.

'The. two arms 41 and 42"of each element 15 have-upwardly opening throats or recesses 45, which are desira These throats 45 may. have upper portions 46 of progressively decreasing width;

blyof identical configuration.

(downwardly), and may have lower portions 4710f: sub-.

stantially uniform width. An operator gathers .the. neck.-

portion- 48 of one of. the bags 15,.as to the closed'condition illustrated in Fig. 5, and 'forces that closedneck downwardly within thethroats 45 'of 'oneof theunitslS,

to: the position illustrated at 49 in Fig. 5; The upper converging. portions 46..of.:throats.45 serve=toefiect part Of.'?the. 1leCkL- closing. action .by virtue of thedownward.

movementof the neck Within the throats.

Thes-closedgneckristheldainthe position illustrated at 49..in- Fi'g.-v 5 bye-meansof: a. yielding gripping-unit 50,

which is mountedto therear side of the arm 41 of'eler ment;15.: Gripping unit'50tcomprises a -coil spring 51v formed. of "flatspring steel, andihaving a spiral configuration,-. with:.all.: of :theturns of the spring desirably being in alignmentti. e.,. one .within .the other) transversely Off-"th 6=aXlS. -Of .thespring.-. The. innermost turn of spring 5lfformsa.centra1, opening within the spring, through which ;there extends a screwor pin 53 attached to arm 41 of element 15, The spring-51 is free for rotation ecklpgr qa 48-015.01. 5: otithe ag s. is forcedmeans of a b'earing 63 carried by element 6l, wi

' downwardly within throats 45 spring 51 is deflected laterally, to passthebag-neck, andthe spring-then -resiliently returns inwardly and partially across the throat, as to the broken line position of Fig. 5. In this Fig. 5 broken line'position, a spring yieldingly holds the bag neck 48 in the position indicated at 49, in which position the bag is very eifectively; and positively supported from element 15. As the neck 48 is moved into and out ofi-throats 45, springs 5-1- turns freely-about'screw 53, to thus facilitate the insertion'and removal of the bag neck. 'lhe screw 53, an d consequently;the;rotary :axis of spring 51, preferably extendl directly perpendicular. to the sheet metal forming arms 41 and 42 of element lS.

As WillbE apparent-from Figs. 1' to 4; the apron or support 16 for partially snpporting the weight of the bags as they are advanced toward the tape applying mechanism, extends at an inclination downwardly and outwardly from a location adjacent the upper run-of chain-"14; Apron 16 may be, formed of rigid sheet;

metal; having an edge portion adjacent and essentially followingthe path of-the' chain, this ,edge extending from: a point 57 angularly upwardly to a point 56, and then; horizontally along the upper-horizontal portion ofj the chain to the end of themachine. Until the bagsreach, point- 57," they hang-essentially directly downwardly from, holders; 15, and at point 57 theapron has a downturned portion which deflects the 'bags upwardly onto the apron, to -follow the apron from that point on. As will heap-Q parent-;from-Figs. 3' and 4; both the portion ofjtheichain between points-.57 and; 56, and'the portion of the chain beyond pointSG, are inclined downwardlyand outwardly away from the chain I After-the bags pass location 39, and commenceto, move horizontally atan elevated location,.the baghold ing elements 15 move past the location of pressure mem b'ers 19 and 20 for applying the tape to the'bags. These, two pressure members Hand 20- are narrow enough to be received betwcen thetwo arms 41 and42 of thejclements 15, so thatthe pressure members may apply the: tape-to the portions of the bag necks receivedbetween those two arms. Each of the pressure members 19 and 20 -has-a.forward surface 58which is of the illustrated rounded configuration in vertical'section. Beyond these,

rounded leading edges 58, the pressure members19 andf 20 have opposed parallel horizontal'pressing surfaces 59: between which the two tapes 1 2 and the bag; neckspassu The tapes 58' are directed around the lcading roundedi; edges 58'of-the-pressuremembers, and then passbetween. the pressure members the adhesive surfaces offthe two tapes in engagement. These tapes are of a known, pressure sensitive' type adapted to adhere, tightly to getherwhen pressed together, as by the two pressure members 19 and 20, As one ofthenecksofa bagiheld by an element15"is movedhorizontally y ,lihahelement, the neck; moves directly towardlhe space betweengpre sure members 19'and 20 ,"an d' then acts to engage the two': tapes 12, and advance with the tapesjbetweenthe pressure members so thatthe tapes are permanently securedfto the, neck (see Fig. 7) Thepressurernembers act to press; the two tapes 12 directly together both ahead ofjandj beg. hind, each bag neck- (see Fig. ;s;

The lower pressure member 20 is rigidly. and stationaarily attached'to the frame ofgthe apparatus. ,The. upp er;

pressure member 19'is mounted tobe defle t d rdly as the neck of one. of the bags passes between thepres sure members, the upwardly deflected position being illustrated in Fig. 7. To mount pressure member 19,-for; such upward swinging movement, this pressure member;

is carried by an arm 60, which 'is pivotally attaphgd ztq an upstanding frame element61 by mean f a h ri tal shaft 62. Arm 6!) is rigidlyattah to s h which is mounted for its rotary orpivotal moveme nas nsi fsh fi fil a i id y an ram t rai f 64 which is yieldingly urged downwardly by a spring 65 attached to a frame carried pin 66. As will be apparent, spring 65 yieldingly urges arm 60 and the carried pressure member 19 downwardly toward stationary member 20. Pressure member 19 may be spaced a short distance from the outer end of arm 60, as at 166, to allow passage of one of the tapes 12 downwardly between elements 19 and 60. Pressure member 19 may be attached to arm 60 by means of a pair of parallel attaching straps or members 67 at opposite sides of elements 19 and 60. These straps 67 of course attach element 19 in fixed relation to arm 69.

Stationary pressure member 20 may be the outer end portion of a rigid member 22, whose upper directly horizontal surface 68 acts to wedge the bag necks upwardly out of holding units after the closing operation has been completed. This member 22 may be rigidly attached to the frame of the apparatus in any suitable way, as by attachment at an outer end to an upwardly extending frame carried member 69. The stationary pressure member may carry a wedge shaped guide element 71?, typically attached to element 20 by a pair of straps 71 corresponding to the previously described straps 67. The opposed surfaces of elements 70 and 60 desirably converge toward the space between the two pressure elements 19 and 20, to facilitate in directing the advancing neck portions of the bags toward the proper location for movement between elements 19 and 20.

The upper tape roll 17 is rotatably mounted on a hub 72 carried by an arm 73 which is fixedly attached to and projects upwardly from frame element 61. The member forming arm 73 may have a second arm portion 74 carrying a guide portion 75 past which tape 12 from the upper roll is directed. The tape from this upper roll 17 extends downwardly through the passage 66 formed between ele ments 19 and 60, and then curves inwardly beneath element 19. The second tape roll 18 may be rotatably mounted to a member 76, which is suitably attached to the frame. The tape from roll 18 extends horizontally beneath member 22 and upwardly between elements 20 and 70 and about the leading curved face 58 of stationary pressure member 20, to return along the upper surface of element 20.

The cutter member 21 is a vertically extending element having a sharp lower cutting edge 77, which is adapted to move downwardly alongside the rear vertical faces 78 and 79 of the two pressure members 19 and 20, to thus cut off the tape held between the pressure members. To provide the rear vertical face 79 on pressure member 20, the part forming this member contains an upwardly opening recess 80 just beyond the location of the movable pressure member 19. Cutter 21 is carried and actuated by a swinging arm 81, which in turn is carried and actuated by a shaft 82 journaled in a bearing 83 in frame element 61. At an opposite end, shaft 82 is rigidly attached to an actuating arm 84, whose deflection to the left as seen in Fig. 1 acts through shaft 82 and arm 81 to move cutter 21 downwardly to effect a tape cutting action. Cutter 21 is formed of a resiliently flexible spring steel, which is capable of bending slightly as the cutters move downwardly, to maintain the cutter in proper engagement with surfaces 78 and 79 in spite of the fact that the cutter is actually swinging about the axis of shaft 82.

Arm 84 is actuated in a cutting direction once during each revolution of a time control member 85. This control member 85 may be a sprocket wheel carrying an essentially radially projecting lug 86 adapted to engage upwardly against an angular cam face 87 at the lower end of arm 84, to deflect arm 84 to the left for effecting a cutting operation. Arm 84 may be returned to, the right as seen in Fig. 1 by a spring 88 attached at opposite ends to arm 84 and the frame. Sprocket wheel 85 is driven in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 1 by a chain 89 driven by a sprocket wheel 90 carried by the continuously rotating shaft 28. Chain 89 may also pass and mesh with an idler wheel or guide wheel 91. As will be apparent, sprockets and must be of such relative sizes that element 86 will make exactly one revolution, and therefore effect one cutting operation, in the same time that the bag holding units 15 advancea distance equal to the spacing between the successive units 15 on the chain.

In order to eifect the ejection of the fastened bags from elements 15 after the taping and cutting operations, chain 14 has a final portion at 92 which extends at -a slight angle downwardly (say about 10 degrees), and which therefore extends at a corresponding angle to the upper directly horizontal surface 68 of member 22, so that surface 68 serves to progressively wedge or cam the closed neck of each bag upwardly relative to the associated holding unit 15, to thus move the bag neck out of the throats 45 of that unit before that unit commences to move abruptly downwardly at the end of the upper run of the conveyor. For allowing such slight downward movement of the chain and elements 15 at 92, the final portion of the previously mentioned guide element 37 which supports the chain is directed downwardly at a slight angle relative to the adjacent horizontal portion of that guide element. When the neck of a bag is thus ejected upwardly from the throat 45 of one of the holding units 15, the bag is freed to slide downwardly along the upper inclined surface of apron 16 and to the position indicated at 93 in Fig. 4. A stop member 94 may extend across the lower edge of apron 16 at that location, to hold the bag in the illustrated position 93. Also, two parallel retaining walls or flanges 95 may extend upwardly along apron 16 from its lower edge to laterally define the location 93, from which an operator removes the closedbags.

To now describe the operation of the apparatus, an operator stands at the location in front of the left end portion of apron 16, as seen in Fig. 1. This operator successively picks up individual filled bags 11, gathers or closes the neck portions 48 of those bags, and forces the neck of each downwardly into the throats 45 of the two arms 41 and 42 of one of the holding elements 15. This neck thus bridges the space between the two arms 41 and 42 of the element 15. As the bag neck is moved downwardly past spring 51, the spring turns and is defiected laterally and then acts to yieldingly grip the bag neck and positively hold it in the throat in a manner supporting the bag from the element 15. The lower portion of the bag is of course supported by and moves along the apron 16.

As the elements 15 carried by the upper run of chain 14 move to the right, they move the suspended bags 11 with them along apron 16. During the angularly upward movement of elements 15 between points 38 and 39, the

weight of the filled bags causes the bags to roll downwardly along apron 16 a short distance relative to the associated holding units 15, thus giving a slight twist to the gathered necks of the bags in a manner tending to assure that the necks will be properly gathered and closed. After each bag reaches point 39, it again moves horizontally, and the portion of the bag neck between the two arms 41 and 42 of element 15 then advances through the converging throat formed by elements 60 and 70, and to a position of engagement with the two tapes 12 at substantially the location at which the tapes engage. The previous closing operation of course has advanced leading portions of the tapes to the positions of Fig. 6

between pressure members 19 and 20, so that the engaging adhesive carrying faces of these leading portions of the tapes are effectively secured together. Further advancement of the bag neck causes the neck and engaged tapes to advance together through the space between pressure members 19 and 20, with the former being deflected upwardly to allow passage of the enlargement formed by the bag neck (see Fig. 7). As the neck thus advances be:

tween the pressure members, the spring 65 urges these I mgm ier i sl iy y ether; 9 ca se e pressure; 9 st: t r t s fl1 he sh the a 'fi fik-g tter he c ha ;p 'sd:p. m e 19, h a ter m ves downwardly to itsFig. 8 position, to press togetherthe portions ofthe tapes directly following the bag neck, so that the.- tapes are-attached directly together both ahead of and .behind theneck. When theneck and tape reach the Fig. 8 position, lug 86 on sprocket Wheel 85 engages the. angular. face.=87 of .arm 84, to swing that arm as well as .armf81 and cutter 21 about the'axis of shaft 82, and

' thus, cause cutter 21 to move downwardly to theFig. 8

positionand cut off; the portion-of the tape which has, been applied to the neck being considered. After the, cutting operation, spring 88 of course returns the cutter to its normal upwardly retracted position to allow for advancement. of the next successive bag neck and applied tape between the-pressure members and past the cutting location.

As the fastened bag moves beyond the cutting location, the slight downward movement of the carrying element 15 at 92 causes the upper horizontal surface;68 of merrrber 22 to progressively wedge or cam the closedbag neck upwardly (as seen in Fig. 6) past spring 51 and out of throats 45 of element 15. The closed bag fallsdownwardly to theposition illustrated at 93 in Fig. 4, from which location an operator successively removes thebags. As will'be apparent, the parts 19, 20, 22, 60, 70, as well as. straps 67 and 71, form unitswhich are all sufliciently narrow'transversely of the directionof chain movement to;.allow these parts to be received between the two arms 41 and; 420i the-various;bag holding units l 5, as the lattermove'past the tape applying, tape cutting, and bag ejecting locations.

We claim:

1. Apparatus; for securingfilled fiex ible bags in;c1osed condition comprising an endless bag advancing conveyor moving along an; endless path, said conveyor having a series; of units moving therewith along said endless-J path and-1 adapted to; gripand advance closed'ne ck portions, of said bags, and. means along said pathoperating to fasten closedsaid neck'portions helcl by-said units, each of; said 7 un t v comp si g, ans rm aat mat t Which th n P t o ne. a b gs s. t i r b e. ss nt y transversely'of said neck, and. a releasable holding ele-.

m v b elati o e h oa perable. t

' el abl sta a h n ckin. aidthr at- 1 generally parallel tov the direction in which a.- bagn'eck extends. through said throat.

Apparatusasarecited inclaim 3, including means securing anjouter. endof said spiral spring in, fixed rela.-. tion to .an adjacent portion of the next inner turnof said spr ng.

6. Apparatusas recited in claim 1, in which said'throat hasan entrance portion of progressively decreasing .width, and an inner portion of essentiallyuniform- Widthacross a portionof Whichsaid holding element extends.

7-. Apparatus forsecuring filledfiexible bags in closed condition comprising an endless-bag -advancing' conveyor moving along an endlesspath,'said conveyor having a series of unitsmoving; therewith along said' endless 'path and adapted to grip and advance closed neck portions; of w dbas'a 'e ns along sai path oper tin to ast n clos'e'd'said neck portions held by said units, each of said 76 members fqrming 8 lPi 91l l 1 w s a sho dias. ements; a ed: w rt r of, the di aslt assmsat massif;

P, advancealong said pathandtq act on the portion ot the. bag necloegrtn in between the elements. i

i 8.1, Apparatus asrecited in claim .7, in which said Via stern ns: .1 2 n l de m a s a ed Pr ss re, en it tape to a.,-.loca,ti on between said elements, and a pair of pressure members received between said elements as they, advance,and;between.which the tape. and neclgare ad vanced to secure the neck' closed by thetape.

9. Apparatus as recit d in i p laim 8,, includinga cutter, received between said elementsaud acting to cutfoflf the tapeappliedto each bag neck by said-pressure members,

10. Apparatus asxecited,inclaim 9, including a spiral, coil sprin'gfrotatably, attached tooneof said element and egrtendinggpartially across the throatthereinto yieldin'glyretain the b 'ag neckin said throats.

ll. Apparatus for securing filled flexible ,bagsinclosed condition'compris ing anendless bag adva ncling' 'conveyor v long. amendiwenfih said on ey r e j series of unrrnovir g therewith along said endless path qi l P, ansiasive ce aw Po of said ass; amima nsalon ai p pera a ofa lten closed said neck portionsheld by saidunits, each of said; units ompetin m an crm ns a fi m? nt wh ch neck PQ t .QI ...qf nae said gs movab ee s at a l transv rsly 'saidn hand relea ab e old ngpk: eat. mo able. t lat t e hreat. a d Ope able. o, releasably retain. a bag neck in said throat, said 'means for sten n he necks. at n ludi wo. Pr ssure a lsi tfi$ fi fi9lllll ql l f whi h, Said sksa e, Q1 51. an ti ans qr. pp n dh i s, p fia ql gkss a ecat qn o a rcs 'sl mes y a p es uremetnben adhflii fe lac s 919 units being o ab a i aid c n ys at drp members n c ose, r zii zt t h t??? to 9129 han??? through said restriction .2, A r s; s, e i d, in. claim 1. in. wh ph said, throats of said units open transversely of the direction oft; endless d a semsmt ith; u i

PP 1 ik i r cl im. l l 'l ii 31; ne p r ,ax ead n n. n lina ion. ewawan y. m a a ion adi ss t. he. a h at. S i un ts, an ng; which h b s .m' a. a linad. it pa th u its. an e 9d; non an iha fpp ra s ar t slf ifia m iaa l st na a g d er. acting n e. he. f tened. Berk. iz r i a beyond said pressure members and Wedgethe neck portions, u i aidi hr a s st tssul of 'taii'a vaac mrnt As r ame at dm r' ndaim. 14, ngw h Sa conveyor has a portion beyondsaid fastening means ad vancing along apatl disposed at an angle to said member and to the path in advanceof saidifastening means to effect said; wedging action. i

16; Apparatus as recited in claim 11 in which one of said'pressure members is movable toward; and away from the other, there being a sprin g yieldingly urging said one member toward the other to press the tape against the. bag necks.

17. Apparatus as recited in claim 11 including a cutter beyond said pressure members for cutting oifthetape applied-to each neck from a supply thereof. K 1

18. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said holding element is spring urged-into bag retaining position when a bag neck is in the throat. i

o qei nsa as 16 i ce a atsadin -bstwssa;

q ii ti ogba rece ved. fetwena l men s-t s hey. 7 r 

